Integrated aircraft cargo loading and cargo video monitoring system

Abstract

An integrated cargo loading and video monitoring system for an aircraft having at least one cargo compartment is disclosed. The system includes a cargo loading processor and a plurality of power drive units within the cargo compartment, each power drive unit being coupled to the cargo loading processor. The system also includes a video processor, and at least one video camera within the cargo compartment, the camera being coupled to the video processor. A central processor in communication with the cargo loading processor and the video processor is operable to receive information from both the cargo loading processor and from the video processor.

1 . An integrated system for an aircraft that includes at least one cargo compartment, the system comprising:
 (a) a cargo loading processor;   (b) a plurality of power drive units within the cargo compartment, each power drive unit being coupled to the cargo loading processor;   (c) a video processor;   (d) at least one video camera within the cargo compartment, the camera being coupled to the video processor; and   (e) a central processor in communication with the cargo loading processor and the video processor, the central processor being operable to receive information from both the cargo loading processor and from the video processor.   
   
   
       2 . An integrated system according to  claim 2  wherein the central processor comprises a display configured to selectively display information received from the cargo loading processor and to selectively display information received from the video processor. 
   
   
       3 . An integrated system according to  claim 1  wherein the camera is substantially undetectable from within the cargo compartment. 
   
   
       4 . An integrated system according to  claim 1  wherein the video processor is operable to record image data received from the video camera. 
   
   
       5 . An integrated system according to  claim 1  wherein the video processor includes a removable storage media. 
   
   
       6 . An integrated system according to  claim 1  wherein the aircraft includes at least a first cargo compartment and a second cargo compartment, the video camera is positioned within the first cargo compartment, and the central processor is positioned within the second cargo compartment. 
   
   
       7 . An integrated system according to  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one sensor operable to detect an activity or an event within the cargo compartment, and to activate the video camera in response to the detected activity or event. 
   
   
       8 . An integrated system according to  claim 7  wherein the activity or event is selected from the group consisting of motion, cargo door displacement, and changes in aircraft weight. 
   
   
       9 . A method of controlling and monitoring activity within a cargo compartment of an aircraft, the method comprising:
 (a) controlling at least some movement of cargo within the cargo compartment from a control location that is outside the cargo compartment; and   (b) displaying a video image of the cargo compartment proximate to the control location.   
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9  and further comprising recording video images of the cargo compartment. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein controlling at least some movement of cargo within the cargo compartment comprises controlling at least one power drive unit within the cargo compartment. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 9  and further comprising automatically detecting the location of at least one cargo unit within the cargo compartment, and communicating the cargo unit location to the control location. 
   
   
       13 . A cargo system for an aircraft comprising:
 (a) means for controlling movement of cargo within a cargo compartment of the aircraft from a control location that is outside the cargo compartment;   (b) means for capturing images of activity within the cargo compartment; and   (c) means for displaying the images and for displaying status information related to the movement of cargo at the control location.   
   
   
       14 . A cargo system according to  claim 13  wherein the means for controlling movement of cargo comprises:
 (a) at least one power drive unit within the cargo compartment;   (b) a control panel at the control location coupled to the power drive unit.   
   
   
       15 . A cargo system according to  claim 13  wherein the means for capturing images of activity within the cargo compartment comprises at least one video camera. 
   
   
       16 . A cargo system according to  claim 15  wherein the video camera is substantially undetectable from within the cargo compartment. 
   
   
       17 . A cargo system according to  claim 13  wherein the means for displaying the images and for displaying information related to the movement of cargo at a remote location comprises a display screen operable to display graphics and to display video. 
   
   
       18 . A monitoring system for an aircraft having at least one cargo compartment, the system comprising:
 (a) at least one camera including a lens and having at least a portion of the cargo compartment within its field of view;   (b) a structure that substantially conceals the camera such that the lens is substantially undetectable from within the cargo compartment;   (c) at least one display coupled to the camera that is operable to display an image from the camera.   
   
   
       19 . A monitoring system according to  claim 18  wherein the structure that substantially conceals the camera comprises an imitation fastener having an aperture aligned with the lens. 
   
   
       20 . A monitoring system according to  claim 18  wherein the camera is a video camera, and further comprising a video server coupled to the camera and coupled to the display. 
   
   
       21 . A monitoring system according to  claim 20  wherein the video server is operable to record video images received from the camera. 
   
   
       22 . A monitoring system according to  claim 18  wherein the video server includes a removable video storage device. 
   
   
       23 . A monitoring system according to  claim 18  wherein the aircraft includes at least a first cargo compartment and a second cargo compartment, the camera is positioned within the first cargo compartment, and the display is positioned within the second cargo compartment. 
   
   
       24 . A monitoring system according to  claim 20 , and further comprising a cargo control system comprising a plurality of power drive units, wherein the video server and the power drive units both are coupled to a common control processor. 
   
   
       25 . A monitoring system according to  claim 20 , wherein the display is configured to selectively display video images from the video camera, and to selectively display information relating to a status of the cargo control system. 
   
   
       26 . A monitoring system according to  claim 18 , and further comprising at least one cargo activity sensor operable to detect an activity or event within the cargo compartment, and to activate the camera in response to the detected activity or event. 
   
   
       27 . A monitoring system according to  claim 26  wherein the activity or event is selected from the group consisting of motion, cargo door displacement, and changes in aircraft weight. 
   
   
       28 . A monitoring system according to  claim 18  wherein the aircraft includes at least one cargo control panel, cargo control unit, or tub containing a cargo control panel or cargo control unit, and wherein the camera is mounted within the cargo control panel, the cargo control unit, or the tub containing a cargo control panel or cargo control unit. 
   
   
       29 . An aircraft cargo monitoring system comprising a display configured to selectively display cargo loading or unloading status information and at least one video image of a cargo compartment. 
   
   
       30 . An aircraft cargo monitoring system according to  claim 29  wherein the display is configured to simultaneously display cargo loading or unloading status information and at least one video image of a cargo compartment. 
   
   
       31 . An aircraft cargo monitoring system according to  claim 29  wherein the cargo loading or unloading status information comprises at least one current ULD location. 
   
   
       32 . An aircraft cargo monitoring system according to  claim 29  wherein the display is configured to display aircraft weight and balance information. 
   
   
       33 . An aircraft cargo monitoring system comprising a plurality of video cameras positioned within a cargo compartment of an aircraft wherein the combined fields of view of the plurality of cameras include substantially all portions of the cargo compartment. 
   
   
       34 . An aircraft cargo monitoring system according to  claim 33  wherein at least one of the video cameras is mounted on a sidewall of the cargo compartment. 
   
   
       35 . An aircraft cargo monitoring system according to  claim 33  wherein at least one of the video cameras is mounted on a ceiling of the cargo compartment.